Kingsport man allegedly locks himself in ambulance, resists arrest

Kingsport police have arrested a man after he allegedly locked himself inside an ambulance at Indian Path Medical Center, fidgeting with the console's buttons and microphone before exiting and resisting officers.

According to an arrest report, the incident occurred at about 12:30 Saturday morning. Police say they arrived at the hospital to find Earl. R. Malone, 58, of 322 Eastern Star Road, Kingsport, had locked himself inside the passenger side of a Washington County ambulance. The report did not specify if Malone had been to the hospital by EMS.

Police say Malone refused several orders to exit the ambulance, and started, "messing around" with its buttons and microphone. When EMS personnel opened the driver's door, and an officer walked to that side of the vehicle, Malone exited.

When ordered to give police his hands, Malone allegedly started walking towards the hospital. The report says when the officer grabbed Malone's hands to place them behind his back, he began to struggle and had to be pushed against the side of the ambulance, then to the ground. Ambulance operators assisted police in restraining Malone.

Malone was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and transported to the city jail. A subsequent report says Malone was later charged with vandalism of less than $500 after intentionally clogging a toilet and flooding a majority of the jail's cells.